North Dakota Water Quality Report: 395 Violations Across 407 ZIPs
443 water systems · 407 ZIP codes · 395 violations · Updated 2026-05-31
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO Last verified: 2026-05-31
City Water Quality Map: North Dakota
Each circle represents a city. Size indicates population, color indicates water quality grade. Tap a circle for details.
Violation Trend
EPA violations across all water systems in North Dakota.
Cities with Most Violations in North Dakota
| # | City | Grade | Violations | Systems | Population | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oberon | C | 24 | 1 | 105 | Details → |
| 2 | Cathay | D | 20 | 1 | 43 | Details → |
| 3 | Forbes | C | 17 | 1 | 53 | Details → |
| 4 | Watford City | C | 12 | 3 | 10,317 | Details → |
| 5 | Strasburg | C | 12 | 2 | 814 | Details → |
| 6 | Maxbass | F | 12 | 1 | 84 | Details → |
| 7 | Ross | C | 11 | 1 | 97 | Details → |
| 8 | Flaxton | C | 11 | 1 | 66 | Details → |
| 9 | Almont | D | 10 | 1 | 122 | Details → |
| 10 | Mercer | C | 10 | 1 | 94 | Details → |
Most Common Contaminants in North Dakota
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 78 | 45 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 73 | 48 | Yes |
| Contaminant 1006 | Other | 58 | 36 | No |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 26 | 19 | Yes |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 11 | 3 | Yes |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 9 | 7 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 8 | 8 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 7 | 7 | No |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 6 | 6 | No |
| Barium | Inorganic | 5 | 2 | Yes |
Water Quality Overview
North Dakota has 443 community water systems serving approximately 1,103,032 people across 407 ZIP codes. These systems have accumulated 395 EPA violations, including 30 health-based violations.
Health-based violations account for 8% of all violations in North Dakota. These violations indicate contaminant levels that may pose direct risks to human health, as opposed to monitoring or reporting failures.
Violation Breakdown
| Violation Type | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Health-based | 30 | 7.6% |
| Monitoring/Reporting | 365 | 92.4% |
| Total | 395 | 100% |
Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeding EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). Monitoring violations indicate failures to test or report — these do not necessarily mean unsafe water, but they mean the water was not properly verified.
Cities with Most Violations
The following cities in North Dakota have the highest number of EPA violations:
| Rank | City | Grade | Violations | Water Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oberon | C | 24 | 1 | 105 |
| 2 | Cathay | D | 20 | 1 | 43 |
| 3 | Forbes | C | 17 | 1 | 53 |
| 4 | Watford City | C | 12 | 3 | 10,317 |
| 5 | Strasburg | C | 12 | 2 | 814 |
| 6 | Maxbass | F | 12 | 1 | 84 |
| 7 | Ross | C | 11 | 1 | 97 |
| 8 | Flaxton | C | 11 | 1 | 66 |
| 9 | Almont | D | 10 | 1 | 122 |
| 10 | Mercer | C | 10 | 1 | 94 |
Violation counts are cumulative across all water systems serving each city. Higher counts may reflect larger systems with more monitoring requirements, not necessarily worse water quality.
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year EPA violations recorded across all water systems in North Dakota:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 | 3 |
| 2022 | 9 | 9 |
| 2023 | 9 | 9 |
| 2024 | 20 | 20 |
| 2025 | 14 | 12 |
Violations have increased from 3 in 2021 to 14 in 2025. This trend warrants monitoring and may reflect expanded testing requirements rather than worsening quality.
Most Common Contaminants
The following contaminants have caused the most violations across North Dakota water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 78 | 45 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 73 | 48 | Yes |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 26 | 19 | Yes |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 11 | 3 | Yes |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 9 | 7 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 8 | 8 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 7 | 7 | No |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 6 | 6 | No |
| Barium | Inorganic | 5 | 2 | Yes |
| Arsenic | Inorganic | 2 | 2 | No |
How to Check Your Water in North Dakota
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup for detailed water system data including contaminant levels, violation history, and safety scores
Request your CCR — every water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report
Get a home test — certified kits ($20-$50) or professional lab tests ($150-$400)
Consider filtration — NSF-certified filters can address specific contaminants found in your area
EPA Enforcement
The EPA and state regulators have taken 1,505 enforcement actions against water systems in North Dakota. Enforcement actions range from compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO
Updated daily.
What are EPA violations?
Health-based violations mean a contaminant was detected above the EPA's Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) — the legal limit designed to protect human health. North Dakota has 30 such violations across its water systems. Not all violations cause illness, but repeated exceedances increase risk, especially for children and immunocompromised individuals.
Understanding water quality grades
ZipCheckup grades water systems from A to F based on EPA violation history, contaminant levels, and system compliance. Grade A means few or no violations; Grade F indicates persistent or serious issues. Grades are calculated per ZIP code and aggregated at the city, county, and state level.
Wondering about your tap water?
Water quality varies by ZIP code. Enter yours to see contaminant data, violations, and filtration recommendations specific to your area.
Check Your ZIP Code Water Quality →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe to drink in North Dakota?
North Dakota has 443 community water systems with 395 recorded EPA violations, including 30 health-based. Water quality varies by city and ZIP code — check your specific location for detailed results.
How many water violations does North Dakota have?
North Dakota has 395 total EPA violations across 407 ZIP codes. 30 are health-based violations that indicate contaminant levels potentially harmful to human health. The remainder are monitoring or reporting violations.
Which city in North Dakota has the worst water quality?
Oberon, ND has the most EPA violations among major cities in North Dakota with 24 recorded violations. Check individual ZIP codes for the most accurate picture of your local water quality.
Which city in North Dakota has the best water quality?
Several cities in North Dakota maintain excellent EPA compliance. Check individual city reports for details.
What contaminants are found in North Dakota drinking water?
North Dakota water systems are monitored for over 90 EPA-regulated contaminants including lead, copper, nitrates, disinfection byproducts, and bacteria. The most common violations vary by region — check your ZIP code for contaminant-specific data.